Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Nursing and Nursing Support
Post Office Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-0537
In order to work as nurse aide or nursing assistant in the state of Nebraska, you must be placed on the Nebraska CNA Registry. You must meet minimum training and testing requirements to obtain your certification and subsequently have your name listed in the registry. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is responsible for the certification and training requirements of CNAs in Nebraska.
Initial CNA certification in Nebraska
In Nebraska, you can become certified as a nurse aide for the first-time and have your name placed on the Nurse Aide Registry if you take the following steps:
- Complete a Nebraska-approved nursing assistant training program. A state-approved program typically consists of a minimum of 76 hours of training, including 16 hours of practical training and the 1-hour Nebraska Abuse/Neglect/Misappropriation Training course on reporting suspected neglect and abuse.
- Passing the competency evaluation program, which entails an oral/written knowledge exam and a skills exam.
If you complete all state CNA requirements, the school or testing facility will submit your name to Nebraska DHHS to be listed on the CNA registry in Nebraska, which will allow you to work as a Certified Nurse Aide in the state of Nebraska.
Other routes to become a CNA
Nebraska provides other routes to getting certification as a CNA. Here are the categories of individuals that can become certified as nursing assistants in Nebraska as well as the requirements they need to meet:
- Nursing Students
- RNs and LPNs
- Foreign Trained Nurses
- Trained in the Military
Nebraska certification routes for CNAs
Renewing Your CNA Certification in Nebraska
If you provide nurse aide services for pay within each 24-month period, your status will remain active in the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry. The registry sends out a renewal form that you must submit along with employer verification before the date of expiration on your certificate.
Lapsed Nurse Aide Certificate in Nebraska
If you allow your certificate to expire for more than 24 months due to lack of employment, your status will become inactive on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry. You may be required to re-take the competency exam.
Transfer of Out-of-state Certification
If you hold a certificate from another state, you can still become certified in Nebraska and have your name listed in the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry. The process is called certification by interstate endorsement. To apply for interstate endorsement, you must fill out and submit the interstate endorsement form (see below). Here is what you need to know about interstate endorsement:
- You need to submit documentation that proves that you have completed NA training in another state.
- You will need to take the competency evaluation exams at an approved re-competency testing college if you cannot prove employment or testing within the last 2-year period.
- Your out-of-state certificate must be in good standing.
- You must complete the one-hour Nebraska Abuse/Neglect/Misappropriation Training course on reporting suspected neglect and abuse at an approved testing facility.